Book-rest.



No. 695,8I0.

J. R. HILL.

800K REST.

(Application led may 18, 19012) Patented Mar. I8, |902.,

wwwrun? Uivrrnn Spares Armar OFFICE.

BooK- REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 695,810, dated March18, 1902.

Application filed May 181 1901- To all wtont it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JOHN R. HILL, of Vashington, District of Columbia,have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Book- Rests; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to book-rests, and has for its object theprovision of simple and highly-efficient means to permit of the leavesbeing readily adjusted to any desired inclination for supporting booksin reading and also to permit of conversion into a table.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing indotted lines the leaves positioned for use as a table and in full linesfor use as book-rests. Fig. 2 is avertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is atransverse sectional view through one of the clamps and a portion of itsrespective leaf. Fig. 4 is a section through the rotary clamp.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a base supporting an uprighttubular standard 2, wherein fits a rod 3, secured at its upper end tothe under side of a narrow board 4, the latter constituting the centerof a table 5. The rod 3 passes through and is designed to be held by aclamp G. This clamp consists of split jaws 7, extending from a disk 8 onthe upper end of a sleeve 9, which latter is passed through anexteriorly threaded couplingsleeve lO, screwed into tube 2. On lthelower end of sleeve 9 is a collar 12, which permits the clamp to rotateaxially without interfering with the coupling-sleeve. Rod 3 is raisedand lowered to place the table at the desired height by looseningthumbscrew 13, passed through the split jaws.

The table 5 in addition to its central board 4 has two leaves 111,hinged at their inner ends to said board. To the under sides of theleaves are secured depending plates 15, formed with laterally-extendingwings 1G, with which engage the opposite grooved faces of a two-partclamp 17, each clamp being mounted on the outer end of one of two links18. These links at their inner ends are pivoted to the collar 19,permanently secured on rod 3 a short distance below its upper end. Eachof the clamps 17 has a thumb-screw 20, by loosening which the clamp maybe moved longitudinally of the depending plate 15, so as to position theleaves 1-1 at the desired inclination. This adjustment of position ofeach leaf may be accomplished by one hand of the operator supporting theleaf on its under side in first loosening and then tightening the clampagainst plate 15.

21 designates stop-boards equipped with dowel-pins 22, which fit incorresponding openings in the leaves 14, from which said boards projectat right angles. These boards form stops for books resting on the leaveswhen the latter are set on an incline. When, however, it is desired toconvert the device into a table, as for playing cards or other use, thestopboards are removed and placed within pockets 23, depending from thecenter board 4. These pockets are shown as consisting of wires 21 andcentral blocks 25, preferably faced with a suitable covering 26 toprevent scratching. From the side edges of each leaf project roundedlugs 27, with which rubber bands 28 may be caused to engage, said bandsbeing designed to hold open a bookl while being read.

29 is a shelf` equipped at its center with a sleeve 30, which fits overtube 2 and rests upon a collar 31. This shelf which is free to rotatemay be used to support magazines or small books.

From what 4has been said it will be seen that the rod 3 is permanentlysecured to the under side of the table,and that the clamp by which theheight of the table is controlled is free to revolve in thecoupling-sleeve,and that the supporting-links are pivoted at theirinnerends to a collar permanently fastened to the rod, so that the weight ofeach leaf is directly against this collar. It will also be noted thatthe adjustment of the leaves may be easily accomplished by one hand ofthe operator,who supports the leaf by the same hand by which thethumb-screw is loosened and tightened, and that by making thestop-boards removable the leaves may be positioned horizontally IOO foruse as a table and the boards placed out of the Way in the pocketsbeneath the central holding it as against longitudinal movement,

but allowing it to revolve axially, as set forth.

2. The combination with the tubular standard and the hinged leaves, ofthe rod for supporting said leaves extended into said standard, thecoupling fitted in the Lipper end of the latter, the clamp on said rodcomprising a split jaw, a thumb-screw, a disk carrying said jaw andhaving a sleeve extending through said coupling, and a collar on thelower end of said sleeve, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination With the tubular standard, of the rod, the clampsecuring said rod to said standard, means for permitting said clamp tomove axially, the table having a central section to which said rod issecured, and leaves hinged to said section, said leaves having dependingnarrow portions on their under sides, links pivotally secured to saidrod at their inner ends, and clamps pivoted to the outer ends of saidlinks for hugging the sides of said depending portions of said leaves,substantially as set forth.

4. The combination With the tubular standard, the rod and the clampholding the latter in said standard, of the table having acentralsection to Which said rod is secured, leaves hinged to said sectionhaving depending plates formed With lateral flanges,a collar fast onsaid rod, links pivotally secured at their inner ends to saidcollar,tWo-part clamps having grooves in their opposite faces andpivotally secured to the outer ends of said links, and thumb -screWs forbinding said clamps against the flanged plates on the end under sides ofthe leaves, as set forth.

5. The combination With the table having a central section and leaveshinged thereto, of the stop-boards removably secured to said leaves neartheir outer ends, and pockets on the under side of said central boardfor holding said stop-boards when not in use, substantially as setforth.

6. The combination with the table having a central board and leaveshinged thereto,of the stop-boards having pins for fitting in holes insaid leaves, and pockets depending from said center board for holdingsaid stop-board when not in use, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN R. HILL.

Witnesses:

GRAFTON L. MCGILL, FRANK S. MAGUIRE.

